The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 1

INDIANAPOLI TAR K'here the Spml of the Lord is. there is Liberty" II Cor 3 17 MONDAY, MAY 28, 1984 OLL'ME 81, No. 358 rvx MOTOfl DtUrtflfcO S1 OS fa Copy Z.C 7 'J it 1 1 rv- 1 K-i fja rr jt-m UalM Frtu UtttrMtlwd Patrick Bedard's spectacular wreck in the third and fourth turns left Bedard suffering a concussion and broken jaw wins at record 163.61 Takes second 65009 victory by 2 laps over Guerrero ii It 1 tVW I vw 4L-fc How they finished, Page 2 Tom Keating column, Page 4 Bob Collins column, Page 5 Guerrero finishes second the hard way. Page 5 Al Unser Sr. survives 'one of those days'.

Page 5 Sneva disappointed but thankful, Page 5 A 'miracle' for Gordon Johncock, Page 6 Al Holbert flies to fourth, Page 6 Michael Andretti finishes on ragged edge. Page 6 Sullivan angry at fellow driver, Page 6 Cosworths overpower stock blocks, Page 7 Computer hampers "500" scoring, Page 10 Frustrated Foyt unsure about 1985 race, Page 10 Pit pass, Page 10 Fabi leaving Indy; Fittipaldi coming back, Page 11 As usual, the crowds enjoyed the infield, Page 14 Elite enjoy race from new suites, Page 15 Race news in this section All race-related news is in the first section of today's Star for your convenience. Other news, sports and features are in the following sections. 1 By ROBIN MILLER Assistant Sports Editor Rick Mcars lost one of his mirrors during Sunday's 68th Indianapolis "500." But it didn't pose any problem because in the end, there wasn't anyone to look for. Armed with a competitive car for the first time in 1984.

Mcars manhandled his Pennzoil March 84C and the opposition to run away with a well earned triumph at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In winning for the second time in his storybook career. Rick was resplendent by leading 114 of the 200 laps, finishing two laps ahead of runnerup Roberto Guerrero and covering the distance at a record speed of 163.612 miles per hour. It was also the fourth victory for car owner Roger Penske. whose other wins came in 1972 with the late Mark Donohue, 79 with Mears and 1981 with Bobby Unser.

Donohue set the old track record of 162.962 in his 1972 victory. WHILE THE WINDUP was calm, there were some excellent wheel to wheel action and a pair of spectacular accidents to hold the estimated 400,000 fans' attention. Two time Indy victor Gordon Johncock suffered a broken left ankle and Patrick Bedard emerged from one of the wildest wrecks in Speedway history with a broken jaw and severe concussion. Even though five other drivers took turns leading, Mears had this one locked up when pole sitter Tom Sneva dropped out with 32 laps remaining. Sneva, who led 36 laps in the Texaco Star March 84C and spent most of the afternoon stalking his former teammate, was Mears' only threat the last 100 miles.

But a broken constant velocity joint on Lap 168 sent the defending champion to the sidelines, IXS TOO BAD Sneva dropped out because I think it would have been one helluva shootout between us," exclaimed Mears, who lost the 1982 race by one car length to Johncock. "I knew it would probably come down to the two of us at the end." Sneva, after falling behind Mears by 8 seconds, had closed to within 4 seconds before a yellow light brought him just three car lengths from the lead. "I think I could have caught him (Mears), but I don't know whether I would have beaten him," said The Gas Man. "We had finally got the car right on the last pit stop and I'm sure it would have been a battle. "Unfortunately for the fans, it didn't happen." With Sneva out of the picture, Mears continued to extend himself turning laps between 202 and 206 mph until Penske got him calmed down.

"He kept asking me, 'Are you sure I'm a lap Penske said. "You get pumped up at this place and it takes several laps to calm down," explained Mears, who has become one of the most aggressive drivers in his trade. "You get into a rhythm and don't want to change because it feels like you're going so slow." THE THREE-TIME Championship Auto Racing Teams' titlist found out what it was like to go slow all the time in the first two CART shows of '84. Penske's PC12s just weren't competitive, so they were scrapped in favor of the magic March of Robin Herd. "I had enough confidence in our team that if we got the same equipment we could beat people," declared Mears, who had never driven anything but a Penske chassis here until this month.

"I had to eat a little crow," admitted Penske, "but it really paid off. It's a great credit to Robin Herd and his people." THAT WAS QUITE an understatement considering the top 10 finishers were all in 84 Marches. Guerrero, a rapid rookie from Colombia and the See MEARS Page 2 Star photo by Virn Arkim Victorious crew surrounds a celebrating Rick Mears in Victory Lane Had to calm self at end Second '500' victory was even sweeter for Mears When that tool of the trade was removed, Mears made a quick, good move to his left for an embrace and kiss with girlfriend Chris Bowen. VICTORY LANE, even though it was a return to familiar territory for most of the Penske crew, was one of the most exuberant in recent years. Rick got the prescribed milk first but the Miller beer of his associate sponsor was right behind and flowed easily and freely.

The euphoria was representative of just why this race was a little more special for Mears and car owner Penske. "As good as we ran last year," said the winning driver, "it was a good season but not a great one. The first two races this year, we had some problems and didn't do that well at all (out of the picture, really). "BECAUSE OF that and because this race is three under our belt by now," said the 32 year-old Bakersfield (Calif.) resident. Mears' victory this year came in a car on which the Penske team didn't take 'delivery until after the Phoenix race April 15.

ORIGINALLY, THE team had started out with its own cars the Penske PC 12 but when the machines proved unable to stay up with the Marches at Long Beach and Phoenix, car owner Penske decided to make the switch. "We sat down that Monday (after the Phoenix race) and we called the March factory and said we'd like a car," Penske said. "I had a guy go over to the factory (in Great Britain) with a purchase order that day to get two cars. "We had to build the two cars (for Mears and See VICTORY Page 3 something special, this is a damn special win for us. "In 1979, it was a different story, really.

The last 10 laps in 1979, 1 didn't think about it as much. I was still pretty green, pretty new at the business and I didn't really realize what this race means. "This year, it tried to soak it earlier, before the race was over, because I know what this race means. It was a little more difficult to keep my mind off of it (winning) and concentrate on driving." INSTEAD OF his second victory, this win was just 0.16 of a second away from being Mears' third. That was the difference just more than a car length that Gordon Johncock beat him in 1982, in the closest finish in "500" history.

Some might say that this made up for that heartbreaking loss, but Rick wouldn't agree. "We would have had an early start and we'd have By DAVE OVERPECK For most, the first is the best. But after winning the 500 Mile Race for the second time Sunday, Rick Mears said it gets better with age. "The first time, I was too young to appreciate what winning this race means," he said in Victory Lane after wheeling the Pennzoil March 84C to racing's greatest prize at a record breaking average speed of 163.612 tniles an hour. "It was a week or two before it set in last time," he said of his 1979 triumph, also for Roger Penske's team.

"THIS YEAR, it started soaking in in the last few laps and I had to calm myself down until it was over." The excitement was obvious on Mears' face as he pulled the bright yellow machine onto the platform in racing's most charmed circle. You could see the smile in his eyes through the full face helmet. 3'.